Infrastructure boost for remote Indigenous communities

Media release - Minister Wyatt

The Morrison Government has announced the recipients of $4.89 million in funding for Indigenous organisations in remote and very remote Indigenous areas under the Indigenous Land Enterprise Infrastructure Fund.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said new and improved infrastructure will create jobs and deliver lasting improvements to 19 remote communities.

“The fund helps Indigenous organisations to expand or improve the viability of their activities in the primary and land management industries through new or improved infrastructure and increasing employment opportunities on country.

“These grants help with business-related or industry-specific infrastructure including off-grid solar power systems, water infrastructure (boars, tanks and troughs), fences, stockyards, sheds and irrigation systems.

“This is one way that Morrison Government is supporting Indigenous Australians to unlock the economic potential of Indigenous land, create jobs and help Indigenous organisations to be part of Australia’s economic recovery.”

The Indigenous Land Enterprise Infrastructure Fund was established in the 2021-22 Budget to support economic growth and provide jobs on country as part of the Indigenous Skills and Jobs Advancement package.

The successful applicants are:

• Balnggarrawarra Land Trust - Infrastructure for improving cultural connectedness and safety on Balnggarrawarra country
• Baulu-Wah Aboriginal Corporation - Installation of new bore and tank
• Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation - Improve the viability of land and cultural site protection through weed, fire and cultural heritage management for the sustainability of the Dhimurru Indigenous Protected Area
• Full Diesel Pty Ltd - Replace boundary fences and improve water infrastructure through desilting dams.
• Girringun Aboriginal Corporation - Girringun Wabu Jananyu – A native plant nursery and regenerative orchard
• Glen Hill Pastoral Aboriginal Corporation - Stock yard refurbishment and work safety upgrade
• Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation - Infrastructure to build wild harvest bushfoods operations and nursery to grow seedlings for future orchards
• Indjalandji-Dhidhanu Aboriginal Corporation - Infrastructure to establish a training room and enhance land management and protect significant cultural heritage sites from cattle and campers
• Kimberley Agriculture And Pastoral Company - Construct cattle drafting, processing and trucking yards
• Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation - New shed with solar panels, sleeping quarters, water infrastructure and amenities at a land management site
• Muunthiwarra Aboriginal Corporation - Land managers base station to support management of Muunthiwarra country
• Parna Ngururrpa Aboriginal Corporation - Repair water solar pump allowing potable water along a main track used for Ngururrpa Rangers and Traditional Owners.
• Rinyirru (Lakefield) Aboriginal Corporation - Improved communal base to support land management activities
• Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation - Off grid solar installation and extend work shed.
• The Channing Family Trust - Harvest shed for processing and packing Gubinge (Kakadu Plum) and storage for farming equipment.
• Weetapoona Aboriginal Corporation - Upgrades to fencing to protect stock and enclose yards
• Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council - Exclusion fencing to contain goats and enhance stock management.
• Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation - Female and senior ranger accommodation
• Yintjingga Aboriginal Corporation - Improved water treatment and distribution infrastructure at Port Stewart

The Indigenous Land Enterprise Infrastructure Fund is a targeted competitive grant opportunity under the IAS’s Remote Australia Strategies (RAS) program. The RAS program addresses the disproportionate disadvantage of Indigenous Australians in remote Australia. More information on the ILEIF is available at Indigenous Land Enterprise Infrastructure Fund - Grant Opportunity Guidelines.